News

Shannon Chamber CEO re-elected to Chambers Ireland Board

At its AGM, held on Tuesday, 28 September, Chambers Ireland (CI) ratified the re-election of Shannon Chamber chief executive Helen Downes to its board of directors.

First elected to the CI board in 2013, Ms Downes’s retention as a board member of a national business representative organisation, provides a unique forum for bringing the business interests of its over 300 members to a much wider audience.

Commenting on her nomination, Ms Downes said: “I am delighted that my colleagues on the board had the confidence to propose my re-election. My inclusion on this board and on Chamber’s Ireland Human Resources Policy Council provides me with a unique vehicle to input members’ views and commentary on national policy issues being considered by Chambers Ireland for presentation to government and key stakeholders. It will ensure that Shannon’s voice is heard at a key national level.”

About Helen Downes

Chief Executive of Shannon Chamber 2008, Helen Downes has spearheaded many new Chamber initiatives to promote and encourage business growth and economic development in the Shannon area. These initiatives, which have also led to increased Chamber membership, include four strategic Forums – a CEO, HR, Health and Safety and a Retail Forum – and linkages with national and international business organisations in both the public and private sectors.

Shannon Chamber currently has over 300 member companies, drawn from a wide cross-section of business sectors that employ approximately 10,000 people in the Shannon hinterland. Helen is responsible for representing their interests to key influencers and stakeholders, achieved through voicing membership concerns on issues that affect or impede enterprise development at local, regional and national levels.